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Comparison of Cattle Finishing Diets Containing Various Physical Forms of Corn

Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, Georgia 31794

Abstract

Animal performance and rumen parameters were studied with steers fed a cracked corn diet that contained 20% peanut hulls (PH), an all-concentrate diet containing unground dry shelled corn (DC) or an all-concentrate diet containing ensiled high-moisture shelled corn (HMC). Total digestible nutrient (TDN) values were similar for the DC and HMC diets and about 19% greater (P < .05) than TDN values for the PH diet. Rumen fluid from steers fed DC and HMC contained less (P < .05) protozoa and more (P < .05) bacteria than did rumen fluid from steers fed PH. The PH diet produced a greater (P < .10) molar percentage of acetic acid and less (P < .10) propionic acid than did fermentation of the all-concentrate diets. Steers fed for either 98 or 161 days responded similarly to dietary treatment. Compared with DC and HMC fed steers, all groups fed the PH diet gained faster (P < .05) and required about 10% less TDN per kilogram of body weight gain. With the exception of carcass weight, carcass characteristics were not different (P < .05) due to dietary treatment.